The Seroprevalence of Anti-Toxoplasma Gondii IgG and IgM Antibodies in Serum Samples Referred to Educational Hospitals of Abadan

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate apicomplexan parasite and it is stated that one-third of the world population are seropositive for the antibodies against the parasite. The purpose of this study is to determine the sero-prevalence of anti-toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in serums of patients referred to educational hospitals of Abadan, southwest Iran.

In this cross sectional study, 252 serum samples referred to Taleghani and Beheshti hospitals were investigated in 2022. The serum of patients were evaluated for anti-toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. A questionnaire containing demographic information and risk factors related to Toxoplasma gondii infection was completed by each patient. P value under 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Among 252 evaluated serums, 100 cases (39.7%) and 7 cases (2.8%) had IgG and IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, the difference was statistically significant. The sero-prevalence of anti-toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were significantly higher in patients’ serums who had contact with cats and dogs and who consumed under cooked meat.

Considering the relatively high prevalence of anti-toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin in the serum of patients referred to Abadan hospitals, more attention should be paid for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this high-risk group.